By The Numbers: Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit St. Denis

A diamond’s ability to maintain its integrity under pressure allows it to accurately gauge the purity of certain substances through indentation tests. Similarly, in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Dustin Poirier, who goes by the moniker “The Diamond,” has been the litmus test that determines if a burgeoning contender upholds the caliber by which he is distinguished. In simpler terms, this notion will be tested when Poirier locks horns with Benoit St. Denis in the UFC 299 co-main event on Saturday at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Poirier has been fighting the good fight since he joined the organization more than a decade ago. The Louisiana native has charted a rigorous course through hard work, sweat and a fair share of tears. With each triumph and setback, Poirier has only grown as a human being and fighter. Now recognized when enumerating the best boxers in the mixed martial arts realm, Poirier is riding a 3-2 run in his last five Octagon outings. This includes two losses in opportunities to lay hands on championships: the lightweight gold first, followed by a faltered opportunity to lay claim to the symbolic BMF title.

Meanwhile, St. Denis, has left behind a trail of destruction and exuded an aura of invincibility in his past five fights. Heralded as a prodigy of hand-to-hand combat, “God of War” boasts an arsenal of devastating techniques and indomitable spirit. In the last five outings, his opponents’ resistance has been mere fodder for his furious rise, as he has finished each of those bouts in under two rounds.

The substantial gap in the rankings between the two combatants, with Poirier situated at No.3 and St. Danis at No. 12, suggests a potential mismatch. However, that does not figure to be the case. With that context established, aa look at some of the statistical intricacies that offer a more thorough preview of the impending showdown:

8: Poirier occupies the second spot in the lightweight divisional ladder for most knockout/technical knockout wins, with eight finishes of that nature to his credit.

10: Poirier is tied for the seventh spot for most post-fight bonuses with 10 such honors.

9: With nine knockdowns landed, Poirier is fifth on the list for most knockdowns landed in the 155-pound bracket.

1,166: At the No. 7 spot on the significant strikes landed list, Poirier has connected with 1,166 such strikes.

6.13: Poirier lands an average of 6.13 strikes per minute, which is sixth best in the lightweight division, right above St. Denis.

1,388: “The Diamond” occupies the seventh spot in the lightweight bracket for total strikes landed with 1,388 of them.

21: A legend of the organization, Poirier is tied seventh on the list for most wins in the UFC with 21.

14: Poirier is tied for the fifth spot for most finishes in the UFC at 14.

5:34: St. Denis is fifth on the list for shortest average fight time at lightweight with an average of five minutes and 34 seconds.

63.3: St. Denis has the third-best control percentage in the lightweight bubble at 63.3 percent.

54%: A staggering mark of 54% places St. Denis as the leader for top position percentage rate.

55: While enjoying significant top control time, St. Denis also does not give away positions, which is evident from the 55 seconds of bottom position time in his fights.

2.15: St. Denis is the leader when it comes to knockdown average per 15 minutes, with an average of 2.15 knockdowns.

3.44: St. Denis leads the pack when it comes to striking differential at 3.44.